Monday, October 5, 2009

Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum

Tucked away in the southeast corner of Depot Town is a green building. It used to be the last official Hudson dealer in the country and the owner decided to convert it to an automotive museum. It is an attempt to convey the automotive history of Ypsilanti.

This is a Corvair which was produced at the Willow Run Chevy Plant (built near the Bomber plant but on a slightly different facility).


After World War II, the plant was used by Kaiser-Frazer to build cars. They also built C-119 Flying Boxcars. This lasted until 1953 when the plant was sold to General Motors to replace the Hydramatic plant which burnt down in Livonia.

This is another shot of the Corvair.

This Rolls Royce had an engine built in Ypsilanti.

This is a Hudson. This building was a Hudson dealer for over 50 years until it was converted to a museum. Hudson went out of business in the late 50's.

Another Hudson.

And another Hudson.

A Hudson hood ornament.

This is a mock up Tucker used in the movie. They are trying to get a real one. The guy in the movie came from Ypsilanti.

This is another angle.

Willow Run will be producing transmissions for GM for another year (or so).

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